Book excerpt: During the early 19th century, the Mississippi River valley north of St. Louis attracted many settlers eager to farm its fertile land. Proximity to the river and downtown markets helped the area grow. Immigrants arrived from Germany and other European countries, and after the Civil War, blacks migrated from the South. Today, the Hyde Park, Bissell-College Hill, and Old North St. Louis neighborhoods are home to diverse communities with a rich and shared history. The neighborhoods are dotted with St. Louis landmarks such as Bissell Mansion, the world-famous Water Towers, Crown Candy, and hundreds of other architectural gems that have withstood the years. This visual history preserves the area's vibrant past and points to a bright future.